§8001 Definitions

Summary

Defines the key words used in the chapter. AIS means the Automatic Identification System as defined in 33 CFR 164.46 or a similar rule. Combined Maritime Forces means the 33-nation naval partnership set up in February 2002 that covers about 3,200,000 square miles of international waters. Exclusive economic zone means the sea area set by treaty or, if no treaty, an outer line 200 nautical miles from the baseline or an equidistant line when countries are less than 400 nautical miles apart; the inner boundary depends on each coast or possession and includes lines 3 marine leagues from Puerto Rico and 3 geographic miles from some territories; the President can change this in writing published in the Federal Register, and it does not reduce the authority of Defense, Interior, or other federal agencies. Food security means having enough safe, usable, and stable food so people get needed calories and nutrition for an active, healthy life. Global record of fishing vessels, refrigerated transport vessels, and supply vessels means the FAO effort to quickly share certified state data about those vessels. IUU fishing means illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing as defined in the FAO International Plan of Action adopted March 2, 2001. Port State Measures Agreement is the FAO agreement done in Rome on November 22, 2009, and effective June 5, 2016, that sets standards for inspecting and reporting on foreign fishing vessels at port. Priority flag state means a country picked under section 8032(b)(3) whose flagged vessels are involved in IUU fishing and that is willing but lacks capacity to enforce rules. Priority region means a region picked under section 8032(b)(2) that is high risk for IUU fishing or illegal seafood entering markets and where countries lack capacity. Regional Fisheries Management Organization means an international group that can set fishery conservation and management rules. Seafood means marine fish, shellfish, and other marine animals and plants, including aquaculture, but not marine mammals, turtles, or birds. Transnational organized illegal activity means ongoing criminal groups operating across countries to gain power, influence, or money by illegal means and that protect themselves with corruption, violence, or cross-border networks. Transshipment means using refrigerated ships that collect catch from many fishing boats, carry the catch to port, and deliver supplies so fishing boats can stay at sea longer.